Connecticut Department of Public Health

Connecticut Department of Public Health

Testimony Presented Before the Public Health Committee

March 7, 2017

Commissioner Raul Pino, M.D., M.P.H. 860-509-7101

Senate Bill 434 - An Act Concerning Access To The Maven Lead Surveillance System.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) provides the following information in regard to Senate Bill 434, which would provide a definition of the Maven lead surveillance system used by the Department and allow child health care providers access to the data collected in the system. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this important issue.

It is important to note that the data collected in the MAVEN system is considered confidential and, pursuant to section 19a-25 of the general statues, the Department is required to protect confidential health records of the residents of Connecticut. The statute states that the data collected: "shall be confidential and shall be used solely for the purposes of medical or scientific research and, for information obtained pursuant to section 19a-215, disease prevention and control by the local director of health and the Department of Public Health."

The Maven lead surveillance system houses confidential blood lead analysis results of CT children who have been tested for lead poisoning. The bill, as written, will allow healthcare providers access to this confidential system. The Department has concerns about using the term "health care providers," which is very broad and suggests defining the term to only include licensed physicians, advance practice registered nurses, and physician assistants who are practicing primary care providers.

The Department is supportive of the concept of allowing licensed physicians and advance practice registered nurses access to the Maven lead surveillance system, as it will enable them to better track the results of their patients' blood lead analyses results and make informed decisions regarding treatment. However, this would have a significant impact on the DPH's Lead, Radon and Healthy Homes program. The Department does not have the needed resources and would be required to hire additional staff to complete the following tasks associated with allowing practitioners access to the MAVEN system:

Ensuring the practitioners accessing the system have completed the required confidentiality agreement confirming that they will abide by DPH confidentiality

Phone: (860) 509-7269, 410 Capitol Avenue - MS # 13GRE, P.O. Box 340308 Hartford, CT 06134

An Equal Opportunity Employer

requirements Determining if the practitioners have an adequate computer system to gain access Conduct training for each physician, advance practice registered nurse and physician assistant Ensure practitioners understand how to access and utilize the surveillance system, and Provide retraining, technical assistance, and answer any additional questions that would arise in response to individuals learning a new system. It is important to note that while the bill does not provide many details on the types of individuals who would have access to the MAVEN system, the Department would be opposed to allowing access to other health care professionals, such as school nurses or child day care provider medical advisors. School nurses and day care medical advisors cannot order blood lead testing for children, track children's blood lead levels, or request follow-up blood lead testing for children. They are required to collect and review Connecticut Department of Education Health Assessment Records (school age) and Connecticut Department of Education Early Childhood Health Assessment Records (child day care). Both forms require that the child's physician complete the forms prior to the child attending school/child day care and both contain a question about lead. Granting physician's access to the Maven Lead Surveillance System will eliminate that barrier allowing them to fully complete the two forms. Thank you for your consideration of this information.

Phone: (860) 509-7269, 410 Capitol Avenue - MS # 13GRE, P.O. Box 340308 Hartford, CT 06134

An Equal Opportunity Employer

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